GARY McSHEFFREY has hit back at suggestions that he is "unsettled" at Coventry City and insists he is more embarrassed than anything about talk of him leaving the Ricoh Arena.

The popular Sky Blues' star is keen to put the record straight after a fortnight of speculation linking him with Birmingham City who have had two bids, the latest totalling £3 million, turned down and says he is more than happy to stay at his home-town club.

"The off-field stuff has not been a distraction and I think there has been more made out of things than has actually happened," said the 23-year-old who rattled in his fourth goal of the pre-season in City's 2-0 win at Notts County yesterday.

"The club have rejected bids, fair enough, but for them to even insinuate that I am unsettled and want to leave is not the case at all.

"I have not once asked to leave this club and I won't. If the club want to accept a bid then it is up to them and then it becomes a different story, but there is no way that I am either unsettled or want to leave, so we will just put an end to the speculation.

"I can't wait for the start of the season when we have got two Sky games which are big ones for the club and a healthy first four or five games in which if we beat some of those teams then we will show that we can become a force in this league."

And manager Micky Adams said: "I have not had the boy banging on my door asking for a transfer.

"As far as Gary is concerned, at the price we have been offered, there is no deal and we maintain that."

Meanwhile, one player who is set to leave the club is James Scowcroft after City accepted a £500,000 bid from Championship rivals Crystal Palace.

And although Adams admits he is disappointed to see the player leave, subject to completing a medical at Selhurst Park today, he is more than satisfied with the fee that he understands will go straight into his transfer kitty to help him pay for the three key positions - centre-forward, goalkeeper and right midfielder - that he is still looking to fill.

"I am disappointed that Scowie is going," said Adams.

"That was something I certainly didn't see coming. Crystal Palace have made us an offer that is worth half a million to the football club and at his age, 30, he has got two years left on a deal here but he has been offered a three year deal there with more money and he feels it is something that he wants to pursue.

"My policy is straightforward and if people don't want to be here, for whatever reason, then I am quite happy to let them go, providing it is for the benefit of the football club. And I think £500,000 when I brought him here for nothing is a fantastic deal for us.

"I know he is not particularly a fans' favourite but I think if you ask his team-mates I think everyone respects the job that he tried to do for the club."